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PIA News Service - Friday, December 9, 2011

Int’l motocross competition set in Lanao del Norte

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 9 (PIA) -- Another international sports competition will take center stage in the island of Mindanao on December 9-11, 2011 at the world-class Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

The 2011 Enersel-Forte and Gov. Dimaporo World Motocross Grand Finale: Philippines versus World’s Best is a gathering of world-class motocross riders aimed at promoting the province of Lanao del Norte.

In a press statement, Lanao del Norte Provincial Information Officer Lyndon Calica said the event is in line with the thrust of the provincial government to promote the province as the Motocross Capital of the Philippines.

Calica also said the international competition is also promoting Lanao del Norte as a peaceful and progressive province in Northern Mindanao.

He added that the event will feature professional riders from the American Motocross Association (AMA) and will be highlighted by a Freestyle Motocross by top FMX riders from the United States. (PIA-Caraga)

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Gov’t agencies give focus on Kalusugan Pangkalahatan

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 9 (PIA) -- Representatives from the national government agencies, local government units, and partner stakeholders tackled the Kalusugan Pangkalahatan (Universal Health Care) Program of President Benigno Aquino III’s administration, during its meeting held recently in one of the local convention centers here.

The activity was spearheaded by the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga in support to the Regional Development Plan and Millennium Development Goals No. 4 and 5 (Reduce Child Mortality, Improved Maternal Health, and Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases).

DOH bared that as of November 2011, there are 62 Rural Health Units (RHUs) already in place, where PhilHealth accredits its Out-Patient Benefit (OPB) and provides Maternal Care Package.

The implementation of the said program shall be directed towards ensuring the achievement of the health system goals of better health outcomes, sustained health financing and responsive health system by ensuring that all Filipinos, especially the disadvantaged group in the spirit of solidarity and have equitable access to affordable health care.

DOH revealed that in 2010, there were 64 maternal mortality cases in Caraga. They are aiming to achieve zero mortality rate in the coming years through the collaborative efforts of the government and private stakeholders.

Kalusugan Pangkalahatan is the health reform agenda of the DOH. Its main aim is to provide financial risk protection for all Filipinos, especially the poor, by ensuring universal PhilHealth coverage and improving the benefits of Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth, Inc.).

The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives are designed to help PhilHealth encourage more and more people to become part of PhilHealth and to assist PhilHealth in improving its services for its members. All of these will be at no cost to the corporation.

Government agencies will convene again on February 2012 to discuss further plans and activities that will continue to protect the public’s health, and will also conduct training/orientation on basic family planning to LGUs. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

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DFA announces Foreign Service Exams for 2012

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 9 (PIA) -- The Consular Office here of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recently announced the 2012 schedule of the Foreign Service Examinations.

According to Mary Val Adiong, OIC-Regional Director, the exam is composed of five parts and will be scheduled from February to August.

Adiong said the first part of the exam, the qualifying test for Foreign Service Officer (FSO), is set on February 19.

After this, a preliminary interview is set tentatively on March 31 and a written test on April 4 and 6.

The psychological test, the fourth part, is tentatively set on June 25 to 29, while the final Oral Test is tentatively scheduled on August 29 to 31, 2012.

Adiong added that applicant should be less than 35 years old on February 19, 2012 and should be holder of a four-year bachelor’s degree or higher.

“Here, the applicant is required to submit relevant evidence such as transcript of records, and either the diploma or certificate of graduation,” she added.

Moreover, the regional director said applicants should be a Filipino citizen and a permanent resident of the Philippines.

“If married to a foreigner, the applicant must secure from the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, through the Board of Foreign Service Examinations authority to take the FSO examinations.”

Naturalized Filipino applicants, on the other hand, should submit copy of naturalization papers or Philippine passports.

Adiong said applicants with dual or multiple citizenships should submit a notarized affidavit stating that upon passing the examination, they intend to renounce allegiance to their other countries of citizenship.

A non-refundable admission fee of P500 is needed to be paid before taking the Qualifying Test upon acceptance of his/her application.

All completed application forms must be submitted to Consular Office not later than January 5, 2012.

For further information, please contact Suzette Aluag-Callo through telephone number (085) 3425700. (PIA-Caraga)

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 9 (PIA) -- The National Archives of the Philippines will be conducting a eeminar-workshop on Republic Act 9470 and Basic Records and Archives Management on December 12-14 at the Vigan City Trade Center (VCTC), Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.

Commission on Civil Service (CSC) Caraga Regional Director Adams Torres said the activity aims to provide government employees knowledge and skills on standard policies on records creation, records maintenance, use and control and records disposition.

Torres added that a registration fee of P3,900 shall be charged per participant. The fee is inclusive of food, course materials, and certificate of completion.

According to him, all concerned government employees are encouraged to participate in the activity.

For more details, the National Archives of the Philippines can be contacted at telephone numbers 521-6830; 525-1828; and 524-2054 or email:phinatarch@yahoo.com. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

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OWWA establishes help desk

by Ritchel M. Molero

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 9 (PIA) -- The establishment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) Help Desks is set after officials from the province of Surigao del Sur and representatives of the ten municipalities finally signed recently the Memorandum of Agreement with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) at the La Entrada, Britania, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur.

The agreement is committed partnership of OWWA with the local government units to provide programs and services that shall appropriately and timely respond to the needs of OFWs and their families.

The MOA signing was led by OWWA-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Marieta A. Lumawag and the Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Marcos Quico.

According to Alma Balatera, SPED Center project coordinator, the Philippine-Korean (PhilKor) million peso classroom which is the only one of its kind in the province is complete with all facilities and amenities including toys, books, and high-tech equipment to suit the needs of the gifted and talented school children.

TANDAG CITY, Dec. 9 (PIA) -- The National Agrarian Reform Community Task Force (NARCTF) of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Central Office recently confirmed a new Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) to be launched in the province of Surigao del Sur before the year ends.

Said ARC named as CARSISA ARC is composed of three barangays namely: Caromata, Siagao and Sagbayan of the Municipality of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

According to Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Restituto R. Marilla, documents submitted was approved and confirmed by the panelist headed by DAR Asst. Sec. Herminia Fe B. San Juan, Chairman of NARCTF.

Creating a new ARC is a means of extending support services to the respective barangays identified. CARSISA ARC will soon be the 41st ARC of the province of Surigao del Sur.

Like any other ARCs, they will become a recipient of different infrastructure or livelihood projects to be implemented in the coming years funded or sponsored by the various stakeholders or partner agencies like the Department of Health, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Agriculture, National Irrigation Administration and other foreign organizations.

This undertaking is one of the major components of CARP, the Program Beneficiary Development(PBD) implemented by DAR nationwide. (DAR Surigao del Sur/PIA Surigao del Sur)